Livermore native Jim Hurley began his music education in local public schools. He later studied violin with Dr. Madeline Schatz, a student of Jascha Heifetz, and earned his B.A. Music from Humboldt State University in 1981.

He has performed with Queen Ida's Grammy-winning Bon Temps Zydeco Band, Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra with Jon Anderson from Yes, Dan Hicks, Al Stewart, Josh Groban, Smokey Robinson, Stanley Jordan, Zhao Hui, the Waybacks, Tempest, and Ancient Future.

He has appeared on Saturday Night Live, at the New Orleans and Monterey jazz festivals, the Philadelphia, Winnipeg and Strawberry folk festivals, a few stadiums, some european castles, and numerous other venues, large and small, in 15 countries. His playing is featured on many dozens of recordings.

He performs locally with his original jazz quartet, Night Harvest; also with American Idol alumnus Wolf Hamlin and The Front Porch Drifters, featuring winemaker Karl Wente. Night Harvest re-brands as The Surly Jackasses to back singer/songwriter Suzanna Spring. The combined Las Positas College orchestra, jazz band and dance department performed Hurley's Modern American Nutcracker for their 2013 Holiday concert. Jim collaborated in October 2014 with alumni of Rod Stewart, Jefferson Starship and The Tubes as Whograss, for a unique show at S.F.'s Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival.

Jim also serves as Artistic Director and instructor for Music Pathways, a non-profit music education foundation, affiliated with Livermore Valley Education Foundation.